USDA regional administrator Robin Bailey said in a letter Tuesday to state officials that federal rules block states from imposing additional eligibility standards like drug tests for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefit recipients.

The drug testing law called for recipients suspected of drug abuse by Department of Human Services officials to undergo testing.

USDA officials say the agency will continue working with the state to make sure food stamp benefits are administered according to federal guidelines.

A similar proposal requiring drug tests for food stamp recipients in Florida was declared unconstitutional by federal courts.